The Mac Mini can be broadly divided into four different generations. The first Mac Mini with a solid-state drive appeared in mid-2011 during the third generation, after Apple switched to an all-aluminum unibody design. These Mac Mini models have an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, Bluetooth 4.0, and Thunderbolt ports. Mac mini comes standard with 256GB of fast SSD storage¹. SSD storage delivers significantly improved performance compared with a traditional hard drive — speed you will notice when you start up your Mac mini, launch an application, open a big project, or tackle data-intensive tasks. How to cope with just 128GB of SSD storage on your Mac mini or MacBook. By William Gallagher Monday, July 15, 2019, 08:46 am PT (11:46 am ET) Only Apple recommends buying its Macs with 128GB of.
- Mac Mini 2012 Ssd
- Ssd For Mac Mini Mid 2010
- Ssd For Mac Mini Late 2014
- Replace Mac Mini Ssd
- Ssd For Mac Mini 2012
- Ssd For Mac Mini 2012
- Choose an SSD for your Mac Mini. These SSD drives are a standard 2.5 inch SATA drive, compatible with the 2005 to 2012 Mac Mini range. The 2014 model also had a SATA option, please see our notes on upgrading.
- The Mac Mini can be broadly divided into four different generations. The first Mac Mini with a solid-state drive appeared in mid-2011 during the third generation, after Apple switched to an all-aluminum unibody design. These Mac Mini models have an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, Bluetooth 4.0, and Thunderbolt ports.
Aluminum 'Unibody' Mac mini Q&A
Update Published November 21, 2018
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How do you upgrade the storage in the Aluminum 'Unibody' Mac mini models? What type of hard drive(s) or SSD(s) do they each support?
There are five different lines of Aluminum 'Unibody' Mac mini systems -- the 'Mid-2010,' 'Mid-2011,' 'Late 2012', 'Late 2014' and 'Late 2018' -- with notable differences in supported storage.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Non-Server Mid-2010 - Left, Mid-2011 & Late 2012 - Right)
Identification Help
If you're not sure which Aluminum Mac mini model you have, the optical drive equipped 'Mid-2010' models and current 'Late 2018' 'Space Gray' models should be easy to spot (at least for now), but many models in between these lines are more of a challenge.
All Aluminum Mac mini models can be precisely identified by the Model Identifier in software or externally by EMC Number, and more details about specific identifiers are provided in EveryMac.com's extensive Mac Identification section.
To locate the model identifier in software, select 'About This Mac' under the Apple Menu on your computer and click the 'More Info...' button. If the Mac mini is running OS X 10.7 'Lion' or later, you will need to click the 'System Report' button after clicking 'More Info...' as well.
For the pre-Late 2014 Mac mini models, the EMC number is visible upon removing the bottom 'spin off' panel to the right of the memory slots (when the ports are facing you). It is on the bottom of the 'Late 2014' and 'Late 2018' models toward the ports.
As always, EveryMac.com has hand documented the model identifiers and EMC numbers unique to each model, which are most easily visualized as a chart:
Alu. Mac mini | Subfamily | Model ID | EMC No. |
Mid-2010 | |||
Mid-2010 | |||
Mid-2010 | |||
Mid-2011 | |||
Mid-2011 | |||
Mid-2011 | |||
Mid-2011 | |||
Late 2012 | |||
Late 2012 | |||
Late 2012 | |||
Late 2012 | |||
Late 2012 | |||
Late 2014 | |||
Late 2014 | |||
Late 2014 | |||
Late 2014 | |||
Late 2018 | |||
Late 2018 | |||
Late 2018 |
EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature -- as well as the EveryMac app -- also can identify these models by their Serial Numbers.
Storage Types, Dimensions & Requirements
Regular 'Mid-2010' Aluminum 'Unibody' Mac mini models, which have optical drives, support a single 2.5-inch, 9.5 mm tall, 3 Gb/s Serial ATA (SATA Revision 2.0) hard drive or SSD (or two storage drives if you remove the optical drive). The oddball Mac mini 'Core 2 Duo' 2.66 Server (Mid-2010) supports two storage drives of the same type (and no optical drive).
All 'Mid-2011' and 'Late 2012' models hold two 2.5-inch storage drives with the same 9.5 mm height restriction, but have faster 6 Gb/s Serial ATA (SATA Revision 3.0) support.
The non-server 'Mid-2011' and 'Late 2012' models, which only ship with one hard drive by default, a second hard drive or SSD is supported, but one has to purchase the cable needed to attach the drive to the board before installation is possible.
A user from the MacRumors forums first determined that the needed part is referred to as the 'Bottom Hard Drive Flex Cable' (Apple Part Number 922-9560) and successfully installed a second drive. More recently, site sponsor Other World Computing began offering a 'Data Doubler' upgrade kit for the Aluminum Mac mini models that includes everything needed to perform this upgrade -- the cable, drive bracket, precisely sized screwdrivers and screws -- in one convenient package.
The 'Late 2014' models have a 6 Gb/s Serial ATA (SATA Revision 3.0) connector for a 2.5-Inch hard drive or SSD in addition to a proprietary PCIe connector for a 'blade' SSD. As first noted by site sponsor OWC, the cable to connect this SSD to the PCIe connector is not present unless the system is configured with a 'Fusion Drive' at the time of initial purchase. However, it is possible to buy this cable later. This 'PCIe SSD Cable Connector' is part number 821-00010-A.
The current 'Late 2018' models have onboard storage and it cannot be upgraded at all after the initial system purchase.
These details can be helpfully summarized accordingly:
Alu. Mac mini | Subfamily | Model ID | Dimensions | Interface |
Mid-2010 | 2.5' 9.5 mm | SATA 2.0 x2* | ||
Mid-2010 | 2.5' 9.5 mm | SATA 2.0 x2* | ||
Mid-2010 | 2.5' 9.5 mm | SATA 2.0 x2 | ||
Mid-2011 | 2.5' 9.5 mm | SATA 3.0 x2 | ||
Mid-2011 | 2.5' 9.5 mm | SATA 3.0 x2 | ||
Mid-2011 | 2.5' 9.5 mm | SATA 3.0 x2 | ||
Mid-2011 | 2.5' 9.5 mm | SATA 3.0 x2 | ||
Late 2012 | 2.5' 9.5 mm | SATA 3.0 x2 | ||
Late 2012 | 2.5' 9.5 mm | SATA 3.0 x2 | ||
Late 2012 | 2.5' 9.5 mm | SATA 3.0 x2 | ||
Late 2012 | 2.5' 9.5 mm | SATA 3.0 x2 | ||
Late 2012 | 2.5' 9.5 mm | SATA 3.0 x2 | ||
Late 2014 | 2.5' 9.5 mm Blade SSD | SATA 3.0 x2 | ||
Late 2014 | 2.5' 9.5 mm Blade SSD | SATA 3.0 x2 | ||
Late 2014 | 2.5' 9.5 mm Blade SSD | SATA 3.0 x2 | ||
Late 2014 | 2.5' 9.5 mm Blade SSD | SATA 3.0 x2 | ||
Late 2018 | Onboard† | Onboard† | ||
Late 2018 | Onboard† | Onboard† | ||
Late 2018 | Onboard† | Onboard† |
* By default, one SATA 2.0 connector in these models is occupied by an optical drive.
† These models have onboard PCIe-based storage that cannot be upgraded after the initial system purchase.
Hard Drive Upgrade Official Disclaimer & Cautions
To upgrade the memory in the Aluminum 'Unibody' Mac mini models released before and after the Late 2014 models, Apple has made it straightforward. Replacing the hard drive or hard drives is a more complicated procedure and Apple does not support users performing this upgrade themselves.
In the User Guide, Apple formally states the following:
Except for memory, do not attempt to replace or repair any components inside your Mac mini. If your Mac mini needs service, consult the service and support information that came with your Mac mini for information about how to contact an Apple Authorized Service Provider or Apple for service.
If you install items other than memory, you risk damaging your equipment, and such damage isn't covered by the limited warranty on your Mac mini.
As Apple does not consider the hard drive to be a 'customer installable part,' EveryMac.com cannot recommend that users perform the upgrade themselves. Most likely should instead add a quick and easy external hard drive or alternately hire a professional. Given the small and densely packed nature of the Aluminum Mac mini models this certainly is not a good system to upgrade yourself without substantial experience upgrading the hard drive in similar systems.
Hard Drive Upgrade Instructions
However, for highly experienced users, upgrading the hard drive or hard drives -- or swapping in one or more SSDs -- is difficult, but feasible nevertheless.
These videos from OWC cover the procedure for the optical-drive equipped 'Mid-2010' models and the optical drive-less 'Mid-2010' Server, 'Mid-2011,' and 'Late 2012' models, in a step-by-step fashion:
'Mid-2010' Mac mini (One Hard Drive, One Optical Drive)
'Mid-2010' Mac mini Server (Dual Hard Drives, No Optical Drive)
'Mid-2011' & 'Late 2012' Mac mini (Dual Hard Drives, No Optical Drive)
It is hoped that by watching the videos you should be able to determine whether or not you feel comfortable performing the upgrade yourself or if you would rather hire a professional.
Mac mini Hard Drive or SSD Purchase Options
In theory, just about any hard drive or SSD that meets the minimum requirements should work in the Mac mini. However, it always is best to buy from a trusted company with Mac knowledge for the most trouble-free experience.
In addition to the convenient storage upgrade kit for applicable Aluminum Mac mini models, Other World Computing sells compatible hard drives and SSDs and offers an installation service, as well.
In the UK and Ireland, site sponsor Flexx sells Mac mini compatible SSDs with free shipping. The company provides flat rate shipping to France, Germany, and Switzerland and inexpensive shipping for all of Europe, too.
In Australia, site sponsor RamCity sells Mac mini compatible SSDs, in addition to memory, with fast, flat-rate shipping Australia-wide.
In Southeast Asia, site sponsor SimplyMac.sg sells Mac mini compatible storage, as well as memory, with free delivery -- and optional upgrade service -- in Singapore and flat rate shipping to Brunei, Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, the Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.
Also see:
- How do you upgrade the RAM in the Aluminum 'Unibody' Mac mini models? What type of RAM do they use? How much RAM do they actually support?
- How do you upgrade the hard drive in the Polycarbonate Intel Mac mini models? What type of hard drive do they support? Is it possible to replace the optical drive with a second hard drive?
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Mac Mini 2012 Ssd
Summary
SSDs are very affordable nowadays. If your Mac isn’t too old and ready to retire, this upgrade is a good move. Don't worry if you don’t know how to finish MacBook Pro SSD upgrade; I will give you a tutorial to show you how to do.
![Ssd Ssd](/uploads/1/3/4/1/134150819/970592919.jpg)
Ssd For Mac Mini Mid 2010
With the maturity of SSD technology and the reduction in price, a lot of Mac users plan to upgrade Mac with SSD. After the upgrade, both the speed and performance of Mac will be improved a lot.
Do You Really Need to Upgrade Mac with SSD
Ssd For Mac Mini Late 2014
Replacing your old hard drive with a new SSD is actually an easy and quick way to boost speed and performance. Yet, the Mac SSD upgrade is not always necessary.
How to confirm whether you need to conduct MacBook pro hard drive upgrade?
- Firstly, you should figure out what are you usually using the Mac for. If you only do some simple works like look up information on the internet and word processing on Mac, the traditional HDD is enough.
- Secondly, if you only want to speed up your Mac, please try clearing junk files. This may help a lot in speed increase.
When Is the MacBook Pro SSD Replacement Necessary
If you come across the following sings on your Mac, it means that you really need to upgrade the MacBook with a new SSD:
Replace Mac Mini Ssd
- Slow startup every time when you power on Mac
- Sluggish performance in many apps (such as PS)
- Sudden system crash now and then
- File permission errors without any signals
Tip: If you find your Mac hard drive is failing, please hurry to recover data from the failing hard drive and upgrade it with SSD.
How to Upgrade MacBook Pro SSD
Step 1: choose a proper SSD.
What you should take into consideration?
- The reliability
- The read/write speed
- The memory (SLC, MLC, or TLC)
- The capacity: keep a balance between capacity and price
Step 2: prepare necessary stuff.
What are needed during Mac SSD upgrade?
- A SATA-to-USB cable or dock
- A small screwdriver used to open Mac cover
- A Torx head screwdriver used to disassemble the old hard drive
Step 3: format the SSD.
- Connect the new SSD to your Mac via the cable or dock you prepared.
- Open Disk Utility the way you like.
- Choose View and Show All Devices in order.
- Select the new SSD from the left sidebar.
- Click on the Erase button.
- Change the settings if you need.
Step 4: copy the hard drive of your Mac to the SSD.
Step 5: remove the hard drive.
- Shut down your Mac.
- Remove the screws with the small screwdriver you have prepared (put the screws together into a container so you won’t lose any of them).
- Take the cover off and release the static electricity by touching the metal part.
- Unscrew the two black screws on the plastic bracket securing the hard drive. Then, remove the bracket and the hard drive.
- Swing the connector to disconnect the SATA ribbon attached to one end.
- Remove the four Torx screws on the hard drive with the Torx head screwdriver you prepared.
Step 6: install the SSD.
- Put back the four torx screws you have removed from the old hard drive.
- Attach the SATA ribbon to the new SSD you prepared gently.
- Put the SSD to the same place as the old hard drive.
- Attach the bracket.
- Attach the back cover and screw in the ten tiny screws.
- Turn on your Mac to enjoy it.
Ssd For Mac Mini 2012
That’s how to finish the MacBook pro hard drive upgrade.
Finding your MacBook dead? Please start to recover your data from it at once!
Ssd For Mac Mini 2012
To recover data from dead MacBook may be a difficult task for you before, but it will not be like this from now on.
Top Reasons for Upgrading Mac with SSD
Actually, there are mainly 4 reasons to explain why you should upgrade the Mac old hard drive with a new SSD.
- Obviously, the SSD is much faster than the HDD.
- Besides, the SSD uses less power than the HDD.
- Next, the SSD is more resistant to drops and bumps than the HDD.
- Finally, the SSD often has a longer service life than the HDD.